The No. 1 UCLA baseball’s 27-game win streak came to an end as they were shutout against UC Santa Barbara at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Tuesday.

It was just the third loss of the season for the Bruins with the previous two coming against UC San Diego and San Diego State. UCLA’s batters were alive in their series sweep against Rutgers, but the Gauchos pitching staff proved much stingier with five hits allowed, while throwing two walks and nine strikeouts.

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Missed opportunity

UCLA had the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, but was unable to get a runner to cross home plate. Despite the Bruins getting four runners on base, UCLA got only one hit. The rest of the base runners came from a pair of walks and a hit by pitch.

First score

In the top of the third, the Gauchos dialed in on freshman right-handed pitcher Angel Cervantes’ throws to get three hits and score two runs for the first runs of the game.

No chance

UCLA’s regained their footing in the next two innings by allowing one hit and no runs to give their batters a chance. However, the Bruins remained stifled at bat with no hits or base runners in the fourth or fifth to keep UC Santa Barbara with a two-run lead.

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Holding out hope

In the bottom of the sixth, UCLA had their second hit of the game and first base runner since the third. However, it led to no runs. With the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, the Bruins were able to clean things up though and junior right-handed pitcher Cal Randall struck out the final two batters swinging. The offense wasn’t able to repay the favor though with another scoreless inning in the bottom of the seventh, despite the bases being loaded.

That’s a wrap

UC Santa Barbara added two more runs in the top of the eighth with three hits leading to another two-run inning. UCLA had a hit of their own in the bottom of the eighth, but couldn’t conjure up more offensive to get their runner home. The Bruins would end the game being shutout after another scoreless inning in the ninth for their first loss since Feb. 24.

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The Bruins will have an opportunity to get back on track and keep the conference record clean on Friday against Minnesota at Jackie Robinson Stadium with an anticipated start time of 2 p.m. PT.

This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA baseball were shutout against UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday

Connacht Rugby travel to South Africa to face the DHL Stormers in a URC clash that has shifted significantly following squad announcements and major betting movement.

The handicap has moved from Stormers -16.5 to -20.5, reflecting just how weakened this Connacht side is for the trip.

Connacht Squad: Key Absentees and New Look Side

Connacht are without Bundee Aki, Finlay Bealham, Mack Hansen and out-half Josh Ioane — a huge loss of experience, leadership and attacking threat.

That puts serious pressure on a much-changed squad:

Backs

• Scrum Halves: Ben Murphy, Colm Reilly, Matthew Devine
• Out Halves: Jack Carty, Sean Naughton
• Centres: Cathal Forde, Hugh Gavin, John Devine
• Back Three: Harry West, Sam Gilbert, Shane Jennings, Shayne Bolton

Forwards

• Props: Billy Bohan, Fiachna Barrett, Jack Aungier, Peter Dooley, Sam Illo
• Hookers: Dave Heffernan, Dylan Tierney-Martin, Matthew Victory
• Locks: Darragh Murray, David O’Connor, Joe Joyce, Niall Murray
• Back Row: Cian Prendergast, Josh Murphy, Paul Boyle, Sean Jansen, Shamus Hurley-Langton

This is a squad with talent, but it lacks the spine and cohesion of Connacht’s first-choice XV.

Stormers Strengths

The Stormers bring serious firepower into this game:

• Evan Roos – 9 tries this season
• Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – 89 points
• Jurie Matthee – 78 points

They combine physical dominance with attacking pace — exactly the kind of team that punishes weakened touring sides.

Why the Betting Line Moved

The shift from -16.5 to -20.5 isn’t random — it’s reaction to:

• Loss of Connacht’s international core
• Travel factor to South Africa
• Reduced control at 10 without Ioane
• Less strike threat without Hansen and Aki

This is what sharp money looks like — reacting early to information.

Betting Analysis

At -20.5, you’re no longer getting early value.

But stylistically, this is still a mismatch:

• Stormers dominate collisions
• Connacht lack game control
• Depth drop-off is significant

Connacht’s best chance is chaos — quick tempo, broken play — but South African conditions rarely allow that.

Prediction

This has all the signs of a long night for Connacht.

They still have quality players like Carty, Prendergast, and Jansen, but the overall drop in experience is too big.

Prediction: Stormers to win comfortably

• Main Bet: Stormers -20.5
• Alternative: Stormers winning margin 21+

Correct Score Prediction: Stormers 40–15 Connacht

Verdict: The market has reacted correctly, but probably still not enough. This Connacht side is a level below what they’ve been fielding in recent weeks, and against a strong Stormers outfit away from home, that usually ends one way.

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Manchester United and Man City are both reportedly keen on the same transfer target this summer

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown is refusing to be drawn into speculation surrounding his future at the Bundesliga club, despite reported interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City this summer.

The German international was questioned about attention from Premier League sides, but remained tight-lipped about what lies ahead.

Speaking to SportsBild about whether he was aware of the transfer rumours, Brown said: “Yes, you do pick up on things like that, but it doesn’t influence me.

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“I’m concentrating on the goals that are within my control. Nothing else interests me right now.”

All three Premier League sides have been linked with a potential move for Brown, with reports connecting the Gunners and title rivals Man City dating back to November 2025.

Various transfer figures have been suggested, though the latest quoted fee of €65million (£56.5m) would see him become the joint-most expensive left-back of all time.

Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella currently holds that record, and the 22-year-old Frankfurt defender was asked about the potential price tag.

He said: “It’s a truly staggering sum. But frankly speaking, I’m not giving numbers like that, or the possibility of a transfer this summer, a second thought.

“My focus is entirely on Eintracht and our goal of qualifying for Europe. And after that, I would really love to be part of the World Cup squad.

“Then, I’ll see what happens in the summer. It’s hard to make plans in football, which is why I don’t dwell on it.”

It is a valuation that Frankfurt’s sporting director Markus Krosche believes is fully justified. Speaking earlier this year about Brown and Can Uzun, he said: “Yes! Because he has three exceptional abilities that you can’t learn.

“He’s smart and tactically astute, has fantastic technique, and is very fast. And all of that is necessary to have a great career ahead of him.

“Now is the wrong time to think about who might leave us and when,” he continued. “They’re both young and should stay with us a while longer. Can has developed tremendously compared to last year. It’s a shame he’s injured now.

“And Nene [Brown] is simply exceptional. He’s made outstanding progress, especially when it comes to defending at a high level. Just look at how he plays against top opponents in the Champions League.”